The Launch of Out Of Your Tree 2
If music be the food of love, play on....Shakespeare would have loved the Priory Studios launch of Dominic Lee's second photographic collection of notable personalities and their hobbies called Out of their Tree 2 in the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Tuesday 22nd September last. The launch had everything - music, food and a lot of love.
Guest of honour was Norma Smurfit who officially launched the book. With all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society, she commended Dominic both on his last book which raised E36,000 for the Central Remedial Clinic and on his hope that this figure would be surpassed with the new book.
Apart from a very distinguished audience of over 300 which included the Japanese Ambassador - Urabe, Shay Healy, Maeve Binchy, Lord O'Neill, Jack Kyle and Brent Pope to name a few, there was a veritable litany of top flight musicians who entertained throughout the three hour reception in the John Field room. Starting with Jamie Duff, brother of famous footballer Damien and equally talented at this sport, he showed at the tender age of 19 that he has a life in music too. Paddy Goodwin - he has played with all the greats - and Neil Miles played a lively set full of rhythm, blues and passion.
Noirin Ni Riain was on stage next and is what might be termed a 'spiritual' singer, in that she specialises in religious songs and chants. Much of her work is created at Glenstal Abbey, in Limerick, where she lives. Calmness and serenity was brought to the room.
Francie Conway, singer-songwriter extraordinaire, sang in his set a song he wrote which he was to have recorded as a duet with the late great Ronnie Drew. Francie had to sing the new tune over the phone to Ronnie who loved it instantly but alas never fulfilled the ambition.
Sonny Condell, founder member of Scullion and Tir Na Nog gave a very understated performance of his enormous talent. Listening to Sonny sing and play was akin to a bee eating a honey pot all to himself!
The final artiste of the night was the incomparable Paul Brady - still too young to start an anniversary tour and like vintage wine, ageing gets better ! What a voice and what great musicianship. You could hear a pin drop throughout his show. He performed a new song - other faultless renditions included the haunting Nobody knows - on the piano and was accorded the same reaction to it as on the Late Late Show with The Island. Paul Brady has to be one of Ireland's greatest musical exports.
So a fitting show and a fitting tribute to one man who organised it all, selflessly with the aid of his adoring and equally hard-working wife Mairead - she still brings him breakfast in bed every morning ...25 years after they married ! - and for such a worthy cause. Priced at 38.50 Euro, this book will be more than just a stocking filler.
John Lowe
Sample pages from the book can be found HERE and its still not too late to order a copy or three!
|
